Resilient tire.



E. S. JONES.

RESILIENT TIRE.

.APPLICAUON FILED MAR.6.19II.

Patented Oct. 2,1917.

.'I sal /O [i I /b/rj nucmfoz y p 'lll i Atrus rn'rnia'r omiten.

i EDWARD S. JONES, OF MOBLE, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR F ONE-TENTH TO MAURICE W.

MEYER AND NORMAN H. MEYER, BOTH 0F MOBILE, ALABAMA.

RESILIENT TIRE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD S. JONES, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Mobile, in the county of Mobile and State of Alabama, `have invented new and useful Improvements iii Resilient Tires, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to resilient tires for automobiles and other vehicle Wheels, comed as to have free articulation to secure ease Y of motion and resilient action to effectually absorb shocks and jars, While being free from liability of punctures, blow-outs, valve troubles, the necessityof more or less frequent -inflation with aeriforin fluid, and the other annoyances, difficulties and troubles incident to the use of pneumatic tires.

A further object of the invention is to `provide a tire core in whichrthe core seotions composed of elastic bodies or members are interlocked in such a manner as to be interchangeable, so that iiiy case of the deterioration-,of or any possible damage to any .section of the core, any section may be readily and` conveniently substituted in lieu thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide aconstruction and inode of coni, -necting the core sections, whereby suchsections are held from relative displacement, also to provide fillers upon the core sections to close the spaces between the outer surfaces of said sections and the inner periphc ery of the tread surface of the tire, wherev by a uniform bearing surface continuously around the tireis afforded, and also to provide a core which may be readily and con-` veniently manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost. l

lfVith these and other objects in view, the invention'consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 2, l1917.

Application filed March 6, 1917. Serial No. 152,748. l

of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, inwhichzw4 i Figure lisa longitudinal section through a portion of a vehicle Wheel andouter eas` ing of a tire embodying my invention, showing some of the core sections in elevationl and others in "longitudinal section.

through the tire onthe line 2-*2 of-F ig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the core sections detached. 1

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section' through the same.

Fig' is an end elevation of one of the core sections.

In the practical embodiment of inyinvention, l provide a resilient tire comprising an outer easing l, which may be of any of the forms in common use, and of any suitable construction for engagement with the rim2 of the vehicle wheel, a casing and rim of the 1 clencher type being shown in the present iny stance. i i

The casing 1 is provided ou its rim side,

as is usual, with an opening for the insertion andremoval of the tire'core 3, which is in the form of an annulus extending com-` pletely around theinterior of the casing and substantially filling the same. i

The core 3 consists, in accordance With my invention, of series of interchangeable sections cast or molded from rubber or other suitable resilient material. Each of these sections Ll, which sections are interchange` able with cach other, is approximatelyiof circular form in central cross sectionfthe inner, outer and side portions of each core section being curved to conform'to the c onteur of the inner surface of the outercasing, while the remaining surfaces 5 `and 6 of the core section are flattened transversely to provide abutment or contact surfaces for abutting engagement with each other. if

The surfaces 5 and 6 are beveled or rel-` 60" Fig. 2 1s a vertical transverse section SOT mission of the pressures and strains inthe movement of the Wheel to secure smoothness section 'is designed to receive thetubular` projection 9 vof another core section disposed Vat one-side thereof, While theitubular projection 9 of the particularcore section in question is adaptedto/iitivitliinV the socket Sfof the core section onf the` opposite side thereo.f, ivlierebythe core `sections are interconnected and `held truly; centeredy at. all

times4 and in. all positionsA they assume in thei The inner Wall of the' motion of the Wheel. n socket 8 and the outer extremity of the tubulair lprojection* 9 of eacli..core section; are

, beveledat a somewhat greater angle than'the bevel "of the surfaces .5 and 6, inorder that;

the abutment surfaces ofthe inner :engagingsockets and tubular projections ofthe vari-r ous core sections may have relative play` and accommodate themselves to relative varia'- tions1of th"e; core sections under varyingdegrees of,` pressures and strains, due. to varyingload. Weights andthe passage ofthe tii'ei yover different l irregularities of surface,

whereby i fthe cushioning; action. is increased and@ thecoresectioiis adapted to elec-tuall'yv absorb alla. shocks andi `jars Without `any material degree of relative displacement A thereof.`

In order to: hold'the core sectionsr inter-f locked againstrelative,lateralor aXial moves ments, a 4recess l0;vk preferably of angular form isproiiide'd inthe surfacev 6of eachy` core section, 'Which' recess intersects the socket S: of said section, While the facetV ci 1 each.: coresectionis provided With an angular key or lug` 1l 4to engage the recess l0 of anotheriadjacent core section, whereby when the core sections arel connected they willl be held `rfromgrelative movement in anydire`ctioni liable to cause separation or disconnec-` tionthereof. The passages 7 are provided inthe core sectionsandarranged to intersect thev sockets. 8 and extendv through the pro-y jections 9,inf,order toreduce thel Weight of the* core sections, to effect av saving'. in the rubber. or fot-:hery resilient material employed, and tov `enable the thickness or solidity. of the Acore sectionsto be varied as desired.

Thus,` Whenthecore sections are to be em' ployedupon; the Wheell of truckl or other heavy. vehicle, the passages *may` be made relatively small, in;v WhichV case the core sectionsewill be. comparatively heavy, While `in tlieuseo'f. the core; sections upon the Wheels of lig-htenyehiclesthe passages may beV ein` lai'ged proportionately, in order to avoid excess Weight, While at the same time forming a sufficient area of cushioning suri'i'ace` Bridging projections 12 extend from the abutment faces-of the core-sectionsbetween the`recessesl0andl lugsll1 and the tread surfaces of said core sections, and the adjacent bridging' projections of the core sections are arranged to abut completely around the core and to' thus close the angular spaces be-L tiveeiifttlie curved sides of the tread portions of the sections and the inner face of the tread surface of the tire.` projections lie Hushv Wiftlr ytlie tread surfaces of@ the core sections and thereby form there-A ivitlr a: continuous tread: surface for' the: core', whereby a uniform bearing` betweenI thev tread` surface ofltli'e core" and vouter casing are obtained entirely` aroundf'they tire, affording1 uniform. pressuresr aunifornr backing".A for the tread. surfacei of the tire` completely.-

around; the;l saine,` and' a'sinootlier running,r

action Vof they tire in travelling; over varying4 irregulafrities.i of, `ground surface. Furthermore, the bridf) ;in,f projections l2. serve'` to; equalize the strains, particularly Whenf theV tire issustaining;` a heavyL loadl Weight', to

prev-ent puncture or other damage tothe outer casing when aportion5 of the casing isin contact with a stone or other obstruce tion'k in the reader other irregularity-.of

surface above r the ,general groundv or street level. indicating" lugsor proj ectionsf lf3. are'y proi'idedupon' the inner or rimsurfaces of:

the y,core sections and .arey adapted iir tlie' 'asseniblagfe of the core sections to reO'istier:l ac!y curately WitlifxoneV another.' the' operator ivillf' be-,Qji'iided in insertinggztlie core sections through the slit I inI the .riinl side ofr the casingtso asato properly dispose the corer sections tov rbring' their projections, socketsy andrecesses inte register or match.`

ing relationriforan: absolutely accurate en# Iaan"ement"with each other.

It. Will beV seen from the foregoing de-v scriptionk that theinvention provides a tire composed of an outer casing,

which may be of any the outer` casingfand.I forni a resilient back@ ingv forthe 'tread surface thereof, the core'v ordinary construction, andA an` inner resilient. 'core Varranged[Withinsaid outer. casing, Whichfcore isfdesigned. to'iill` I i By this means l 1 :I

talringtheplace of` the compressed airl used 1 in `theordinaryV pneumatic tire: It wilslv be observed that this coreis 'composed of re-l silient sections-affording; a resilient filler or backing for the outer casing; ivhiclik is non? pimcturable,` thus providing a tire which' overcomes the -Well know-n l obj ections; to ti res of the` pneumaticV typen -Fu'rthermore, it

will be seen that these core sections arein` terlocked'- and heldV fromf relative displacement, but are detachably coupled:andainter-y f changeable with? each other,tlius allow-ing) the core elements to be conveniently assembled within a tire casing and one or more to be readily removed, in case of deterioration or damage, to permit of others being as conveniently substituted therefor. 1t will be evident that the core sections may be made heavy or light, and of different diameters, as circumstances may require in their adaptation to tires of different sizes and for light and heavy vehicles, and that in all cases a complete tire is provided which is not only puncture proof and free from valves and other parts liable to get out of order, but which insures ample resiliency and easy running without making the tire of excessive or objectional weight. As the sections of the core are `inclosed and protected it will be apparent that they will not be aected by air, moisture or sunlight, and thus will not be so readily subjected to deterioration or disintegration, adapting them to last a long time before renewal of the core or any part thereofl as required. As such a core may be successively applied to different casings as the casings are worn out, it will be seen that economy will be secured over the use of ordinary pneumatic tires with inner tubes, and it will further be seen that as the core forms a uniform backing for the tread and sides of the outer casing the casing will also be protected to a large extent against rapid wear and will last for a longer period.

A material advantage incident to the present invention is that, due to the resilient character of the inner construction or core of the tire, the outer casing or covering is Y free from the strains thereon falling upon an ordinary pneumatic tire due to the air pressure therein, which pressure has a tendency to stretch and constantly weaken the casing, so that a casing when worn to any extent is liable to blow-outs and must be discarded. With my construction, on the other hand, a casing with the resilient core can be used until it is practically worn out, thus securing a wide range of economy in the long run in the use of my improved tire over an ordinary pneumatic tire. As the core may be made of any size, thickness and resiliency, it is evident that great durability will be secured, and that therefore the tire will be of superior value if used upon trucks and other heavy vehicles, as it will stand great wear and tear in running over rough surfaces and sustaining heavy shocks and jars without throwing strains upon the vehicle. Moreover, the necessity of carrying extra tubes and casings will be eliminated or reduced to a very large extent.

The advantages of my improved tire over an ordinary pneumatic tire in obviating punctures, blow-outs, valve troubles and other annoyances will be appreciated, and

other advantages of the invention will be fully understood by those versed in the art from the foregoing description.

. Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A tire comprising an outer casing and a core inclosed therein, said core compris- .ing resilient sections having rounded sur faces, the rounded surfaces of the tread portions ofthe sections being provided with bridging projections filling the spaces between them and forming a continuous tread surface about the outer periphery of the core.

A tire comprising an outer casing and a resilient core inclosed therein, said core consisting of an annular series of resilient sections provided with abutment faces, said abutment faces having sockets and projections for interlitting engagement, and indicating elements upon said core sections adapted for alinement with each other to indicate when said inter-fitting surfaces are in engagement with each other.

A resilient tire comprising an oute casing and an inner core consisting of an annular series of resilient sections, each section having a passage, a socket at one side thereof communicating with the passage, and a tubular projection at its opposite side communicating with the passage, the sockets and projections of adjacent core sections throughout the series having intertting engagement with each other.

it. A tire comprising an outer casing and a resilient core inclosed therein, said core comprising sections of resilient material rounded in cross section and having Yflattened abutment faces, the opposite abutment faces of each section being respectively provided with a socket having a beveled inner wall and a projection having a beveled end portion,I the sockets and projections of the sections having interitting engagement with each other, said sections also being provided with engaging recesses and lugs to hold said sections against relative shifting movements.

5. A tire comprising an outer casing and a core inclosed therein, said core comprising interchangeable, intcrengaging resilient seetions having rounded surfaces, the rounded surfaces of the tread portions of the sections being provided with bridging projections filling the spaces between them and forming a continuous tread surface about the outer periphery of the core.

6. A tire comprising an outer casing and a resilient core inclosed therein, said core consisting of an annular series of resilient sections provided with passages and abutment faces, said abutment faces having sockets and projections for interlitting engagement, and indicating elements upon said core sections adapted foralinement with each otherto indicate when said interfitting surfaces are in engagement with each other.

7. A resilient tire comprising an outer easingland a resilient core inelosed therein, said core comprisingan annular series of resilient sections, rounded in cross section, having flattened abutment faces extending at an angle to their axes and radially to the aXis of the tire, said abutment aoesbeing provided with sets of recesses and projeetions for intertting and interlocking en` gageinent, and having bridging projections 10 iillng the spaces between adjacent sections at the tread side thereof, to' form a continuous bearing surface around said tread side to impinge against the tread face of the outer casing.

\ In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

y1in3mini) s. JoNEs.v

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

